Iris Mary (Forbes) Rielly
It was inevitable that Iris Rielly would become a synchronized swimmer. Her mother Pansy Forbes, was coach of the Peterborough Ornamental Swim Club which, during the 1950s, had the foremost synchronized swim team in Canada. Like her mother, Iris was a pioneer in the sport.
She joined the club when it was formed in 1942 and over the span of the next 15 years was a winner at provincial, national and international levels. The club’s first major success was at the 1948 U.S. Amateur Athletic Union junior national synchronized championships in Detroit. Iris teamed with Jean Millard to become the first Canadian duet to win a U. S. national synchronized swim event.
In 1954, Iris was part of the Canadian championship unit which performed at the British Empire Games in Vancouver. In 1955, her team placed second at the Pan-Am Games in Mexico. Iris teamed with Norma Douglas to win Ontario duet championships in 1956 and 1957.
Election of Iris marks the first time a mother/daughter have been named to the Hall.
Year Inducted:
1990
Status:
Active
It was inevitable that Iris Rielly would become a synchronized swimmer. Her mother Pansy Forbes, was coach of the Peterborough Ornamental Swim Club which, during the 1950s, had the foremost synchronized swim team in Canada. Like her mother, Iris was a pioneer in the sport.
She joined the club when it was formed in 1942 and over the span of the next 15 years was a winner at provincial, national and international levels. The club’s first major success was at the 1948 U.S. Amateur Athletic Union junior national synchronized championships in Detroit. Iris teamed with Jean Millard to become the first Canadian duet to win a U. S. national synchronized swim event.
In 1954, Iris was part of the Canadian championship unit which performed at the British Empire Games in Vancouver. In 1955, her team placed second at the Pan-Am Games in Mexico. Iris teamed with Norma Douglas to win Ontario duet championships in 1956 and 1957.
Election of Iris marks the first time a mother/daughter have been named to the Hall.